What happens to gifted and talented high school students for whom the home language is not English? Are they getting the preparation in “academic literacy” to survive college reading loads? If you are the first in your family to go to college in the U.S., do you have the same college preparation, information, mentoring, and support as other high achieving students in your high school? Are there AP classes for you?

The Commanding English program works with high schools in the metro area to offer college courses to qualified multilingual students. We have three PSEO (Post Secondary Options) programs in Minneapolis Public Schools: Edison, Roosevelt, and Washburn. In this program, motivated high school students take U of M classes as a group. First semester, classes are at the high school. After that, students move on to campus for their classes. Over 500 students have now taken Commanding English PSEO!

In addition, a Commanding English section of Writing Studio (Writ 1201) is offered through College in the Schools. CIS 1201 Writing Studio is taught by high school faculty who are coached by a University teacher. This course offers concurrent enrollment credits (students earn 4 credits at the University of Minnesota in addition to high school English credits) and is designed to serve multilingual high school students who show high motivation and good potential for success in this challenging course. Currently, eight local high schools offer the class: Community of Peace Academy, Hmong Academy, Patrick Henry, Robbinsdale-Armstrong, St Paul Central, Shakopee High, and Ubah Medical Academy.